There are no medications to treat fetal alcohol syndrome specifically. But certain medicines can help with symptoms such as hyperactivity, inability to focus, or anxiety. They also try to find out whether the mother drank while they were pregnant and if so, how much. While some growth issues may improve, children with FASDs may have short height or developmental delays through adulthood. Other issues, like learning disabilities or ADHD, may improve with appropriate therapies, medications, and other support.
Preventing foetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD)
In 2019, CDC researchers found that 1 in 9 pregnant people drank alcohol in a 30-day period of time. Alcohol — including wine, beer, and liquor — is the leading preventable cause of birth defects in the U.S. There is no cure for FASDs, but early intervention and support can significantly help with child development. No two cases are exactly the same, so specialists will tailor the treatment plan to each person’s needs. In a 2022 report, CDC researchers found that 13.5% of pregnant adults in the United States reported current drinking between 2018 and 2020.
- The outlook will be individual for each child, what type of FASD they have, and what treatments/therapies they have access to.
- In this case, the mother must have consumed more than 13 alcoholic beverages during each month (30 days) of pregnancy or more than two alcoholic beverages at a time.
- There is no known safe amount of alcohol during pregnancy or when trying to get pregnant.
What You Need to Know About Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs)
Early detection and treatment can help children learn vital skills and improve their chances of being able to live independently as adults. Unfortunately, up to 5% of first graders in the United States have FASD. FASDs are a group of medical conditions that occur due to alcohol exposure during pregnancy. Alcohol can affect developing fetuses in a variety of ways, and the symptoms a person has determine which type of FASD diagnosis they receive.
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
Unlike most other organs in the body, the liver can repair itself—to a point. If liver disease is in earlier stages, managing underlying diseases and making lifestyle changes can reverse the damage. Fibrosis may heal if the trigger is removed, whether due to alcohol, medications, metabolic conditions, or infection. Chronic liver disease causes areas of inflammation that become scar tissue. When this scarring becomes advanced, it is called liver cirrhosis.
This exposure typically occurs when a pregnant person drinks alcohol, and it enters the fetus’s bloodstream through the umbilical cord. It’s also recommended celebrities with fetal alcohol syndrome that you not drink alcohol if you’re sexually active and not using effective birth control. It can take four to six weeks before you know you’re pregnant.
What are the symptoms of fetal alcohol syndrome in teenagers?
- People with FAS may have problems with their vision, hearing, memory, attention span, and abilities to learn and communicate.
- Teenagers with fetal alcohol syndrome may experience behavioral, cognitive, and physical challenges.
- A healthcare professional specializing in FAS can help determine the cause.
- This could be from a doctor, an addiction support service, or a mental health professional.
- People with FASDs can have lifelong effects, including problems with behavior and learning as well as physical problems.
- Over time, liver damage and disease can lead to liver (hepatic) failure.
If you’re a heavy drinker, reach out to a doctor for support. Other helpful resources include Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA). It’s important to understand that FASDs can result from occasional drinking as well. FASDs are caused by alcohol use at any time throughout pregnancy. The best prevention method is to avoid alcohol use when you’re trying to become pregnant, when you suspect you may be pregnant, or when you know you’re pregnant. You’ll notice we use the term “woman,” “women,” and “mother” in this article.
When to see a doctor
Alcohol can cause problems for a developing baby throughout pregnancy, including before a woman knows she’s pregnant. All types of alcohol are equally harmful, including all wines and beer. Teenagers with fetal alcohol syndrome may experience behavioral, cognitive, and physical challenges.
- Sometimes, they’ll need a biopsy, a clinical evaluation of a sample of liver tissue.
- But since the alcohol is no longer available, the baby’s central nervous system becomes over stimulated, causing symptoms of withdrawal.
- FASD may present in childhood or early adulthood with mild social or intellectual concerns, or it can present with birth defects and growth problems during pregnancy.
- People with FAS have better outcomes if they experience a supportive and loving environment during childhood.
- Children older than 3 are not eligible for early intervention, but they can qualify for special education services before kindergarten or while enrolled in school.
